Brewster Street: Merch On The Island

Hi, I’m Chloe, the Junior Art Director at Mirador. Thank you for taking the time to read our blog and explore some of the stories and projects that shape who we are as an agency.

My time with Mirador actually began as an intern. While studying Graphic Design with a minor in Marketing at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, I was given the opportunity to join the team in Fall 2024 as a student Intern. I graduated in the Spring of 2025, and since then, I’ve been along for the ride, growing alongside the agency and learning more than I ever expected.

As I transitioned into a full-time role, conversations around a new Brewster Street location on the Island started to take shape. Being part of that process gave me a firsthand look at what it really takes to open a new restaurant, and just how much thoughtful design goes into every detail.

A lot of design work that you don’t think about goes into opening a restaurant. We created over 350 custom directional signage pieces throughout the space to develop a flow alongside a little interior design to bring the space to life. However, one of my favorite projects to date was designing the opening line of merchandise for Brewster Street on the Island. It was a unique challenge to strike the right balance between staying true to the established Brewster Street brand while also creating something fresh, distinctive, and reflective of the island atmosphere.

I leaned heavily into digital illustration, focusing on designs that tell a story and have personality. I also wanted each piece to be versatile enough to work across a variety of merchandise. One of my favorite concepts is a coastal pelican driving a pickup truck with a beer in the back. To make it more family-friendly, I created a kids’ version with an ice cream cone instead. Moments like that, where people can connect, laugh, or even match with their kids, were important to me. Those small details helped create meaningful connections with our audience.

Across the full collection, my goal was to build a cohesive, “islandy” narrative. Every design was intended to feel fun, relaxed, and rooted in the local culture. I also put a lot of thought into the apparel itself, selecting shirt colors and materials that subtly tie back to Brewster Street’s core brand. Yellows, golds, and maroons were chosen to complement and extend the original palette in a way that felt natural and elevated.

One design I’m especially proud of is the “Get Wrecked” shirt. The building, formerly Boathouse Bar & Grill, once overlooked a capsized boat in the bay named Doctor’s Orders. Over time, it became an unofficial local landmark that many people grew attached to. Although the boat was eventually removed for environmental reasons, I wanted to find a way to preserve that piece of local history. I illustrated the boat and built a playful design around the concept of the boat being “wrecked,” tying it back into the Brewster Street brand while honoring something meaningful to the community.

As we approached opening, it became clear that strong marketing would be key to launching the merchandise successfully. We collaborated as a team to develop the creative direction for Brewster Street on the Island’s first photoshoot. It was the perfect opportunity not only to showcase the merch but also to generate organic social content for the restaurant’s new presence. Our goal was to capture more than just the products; we wanted to highlight the energy of the space, the coastal lifestyle, and the overall vibe of this new island location.

This entire experience has been incredibly rewarding. As someone early in my career, it was exciting to take ownership of such a large, creative project and see it come to life. It’s even more surreal running into people around Corpus Christi wearing the designs (it really is a small town sometimes). We’ve even seen some fun engagement on TikTok sparked by the merch, creating unexpected and meaningful community connections. 

I’m truly proud of how everything turned out and grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow through this process.

And if you haven’t already, go check out the merch!